Currency inspection using mobile device and attachments

Abstract

Currency inspection using mobile devices and attachments are provided herein, as well as methods of use. In some embodiments, an apparatus may be configured to provide selections of currencies to a user via a display of the apparatus, obtain currency attributes for a selected currency, receive currency parameters for suspect currency using a currency evaluation device that is communicatively coupled with the apparatus, the currency evaluation device having a sensor array that comprises one or more sensors that are each configured to determine at least one currency parameter, compare the currency parameters for the suspect currency to the currency attributes, and output a warning message if the suspect currency is potentially counterfeit.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a mobile computing device having a processor and a memory for storing executable instructions that comprise a currency evaluation application; and   a portable currency evaluation device that is communicatively coupled with the mobile computing communications device, the currency evaluation device being controlled by execution of the currency evaluation application by the processor of the mobile computing communications device, the currency evaluation device comprising:
 a sensor array that comprises one or more sensors that are each configured to determine at least one of multiple currency parameters of currency being evaluated, the sensors outputting signals to the mobile computing communications device that are indicative of currency parameters detected by the one or more sensors; and 
 the processor of the mobile computing communications device being configured to compare the currency parameters determined by the one or more sensors to currency attributes pre-defined in the currency evaluation application that are indicative of authentic currency, automatically determine a currency type based on the pre-defined currency attributes, and determine if the currency being evaluated is authentic or counterfeit. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to output a warning signal if the currency being evaluated is counterfeit, or output a pass signal if the currency being evaluated is authentic. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises a paper currency scanner. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein currency evaluation device comprises a magnifying window that is positioned on a housing of the currency evaluation device such that paper currency being scanned by the paper currency scanner is magnified for a user. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the magnifying window includes a touchscreen display. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the magnifying window is configured to display images of counterfeit or authentic versions of the currency being evaluated. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein an image of a counterfeit or authentic version of the currency being evaluated is overlaid upon the currency being evaluated. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mobile computing communications device receives the currency attributes from a server upon request. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory for storing executable instructions, the processor executing the instructions to:
 provide selections of currencies to a user via a display of the apparatus; 
 obtain predefined authentic currency attributes for a selected authentic currency; 
 receive currency parameters for currency being evaluated using a portable currency evaluation device that is communicatively coupled with the apparatus, the currency evaluation device comprising a sensor array that comprises one or more sensors that are each configured to determine at least one of multiple currency parameters; 
 compare the currency parameters for the currency being evaluated to the pre-defined currency attributes indicative of authentic currency; and 
 output a warning message if the currency being evaluated is potentially counterfeit. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises a paper currency scanner. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein currency evaluation device comprises a magnifying window that is positioned on a housing of the currency evaluation device such that paper currency being scanned by the paper currency scanner is magnified for the user. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the magnifying window includes a touchscreen display, and wherein the magnifying window is configured to display images of counterfeit or authentic versions of the currency being evaluated. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein an image of a counterfeit or authentic version of the currency being evaluated is overlaid upon the currency being evaluated. 
     
     
         17 . A method for evaluating authenticity of currency using a currency evaluation device coupled with a mobile computing device, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the mobile computing device, a selection of a currency from a plurality of possible currencies;   obtaining pre-defined authentic currency attributes for the selected currency by the mobile computing device;   receiving currency parameters for currency being evaluated from a portable currency evaluation device that is communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device, the currency evaluation device comprising a sensor array that comprises one or more sensors that are each configured to determine at least one of multiple currency parameters;   comparing, by the mobile computing device, the currency parameters for the currency being evaluated to the pre-defined currency attributes indicative of authentic currency; and   outputting, by the mobile computing device, a warning message if the currency being evaluated is potentially counterfeit.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the mobile computing device receives the currency attributes from a server upon request. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising outputting, by the mobile computing device, a pass message if the currency being evaluated is authentic.